Road works in full swing, residents say quality is not up to scratch - Punjab

Road works in full swing, residents say quality is not up to scratch - Punjab

Road works in full swing, residents say quality is not up to scratch . A recent RTI application filed by activist Rohit Sabharwal had revealed that Rs 212 crore were spent on the maintenance of roads by the civic body in the past five years, but the condition of roads narrates an entirely different story. Last year, additional commissioner Rishipal Singh had started sampling of roads from various areas and action was also recommended against the officials.

Ahead of assembly elections, the civic body has started construction of a number of roads in the city and in the coming days more developmental works will start. However, the residents are worried about the quality of these roads in the “absence of proper checks, which may lead to damage after a single rainfall, causing loss to the public exchequer”.

A major part of MC funds is spent on the construction and maintenance of roads. A recent RTI application filed by activist Rohit Sabharwal had revealed that Rs 212 crore were spent on the maintenance of roads by the civic body in the past five years, but the condition of roads narrates an entirely different story. Last year, additional commissioner Rishipal Singh had started sampling of roads from various areas and action was also recommended against the officials.

However, the civic officials claimed they were monitoring the road work and strict action would be taken against the erring contractors for using substandard material.

A resident of Haibowal, Karan Sharma, said, “It has been 15 days and half the road is constructed and the other portion is left untouched. The reason for it must be known only to the contractor or officials. Besides, the road that has been constructed is not up to the mark, as no specifications are followed. At one place, the layer is thick and at the other very thin. The earlier roads also did not survive even a single rainfall.”

A resident from Civil City, Gurpreet Singh, said the roads constructed in this manner would not survive long and develop potholes after the first rainfall. He said, “The authorities are not paying attention towards the quality of material and specifications, so the public will suffer again. In the past three years, not even a single road was constructed in the area, but now as the elections are round the corner, the authorities have swung into action.”

Arvind Sharma, a shopkeeper and resident of Model Town, said, “Recently, roads were constructed in Model Town Extension Block D and these have already been damaged. If a speeding vehicle turns, bitumen comes off. Constructing roads with poor material is of no use and I have also raised the matter with the higher authorities.”

Another resident from Chander Nagar, Jyoti Bhatia, rued the roads were being constructed everywhere in the city, but in their area a long stretch was still pending. “Rainy season is about to start and then authorities will stop road work,” Jyoti added.

Superintending engineer of bridges and road department Tirath Bansal said, “We are visiting the sites where developmental works are going on and daily progress reports are being prepared. Apart from this, a consultant company collects samples of material.”

Mayor Balkar Sandhu said road works were done in all constituencies and officials have been told to hold checks daily and action would be taken against erring officers and the contractor. He said in the coming months Rs 250 crore to Rs 300 crore worth development works would be undertaken. Sandhu added as soon as the monsoon sets in, roads’ construction would stop.

A major part of MC funds is spent on the construction and maintenance of roads. A recent RTI application filed by activist Rohit Sabharwal had revealed that Rs 212 crore were spent on the maintenance of roads by the civic body in the past five years, but the condition of roads narrates an entirely different story. Last year, additional commissioner Rishipal Singh had started sampling of roads from various areas and action was also recommended against the officials.

No drainage system for rainwater

One major reason behind early breakage of roads is that the city does not have a proper system for drainage of rainwater and when there is waterlogging during monsoon, many stretches get damaged. There is a need to check waterlogging as well. Source:timesofindia

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